1. Why exactly did Kaag leave?
The evacuations from Afghanistan were widely criticized. A motion of censure tabled for that reason was supported by the entire opposition and coalition party ChristenUnie, with which he had a majority.
Cabinet members do not have to resign after such a motion of censure, it is a kind of yellow card, but Kaag, who was responsible for the policy as the outgoing Minister of Foreign Affairs, believes that if the policy is rejected, the responsible minister should resign. . She said that after the motion was passed in the House of Representatives. This can be seen in the video below:
–
–
Kaag had no other choice, says Wester. “In April, when a motion of censure was passed against Mark Rutte, she said that she would have resigned in his case. That statement caused a lot of hassle, because they were forming together. Now that statement is breaking her herself. , she couldn’t help but be consistent.”
2. Isn’t it strange that Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld, against whom a motion of censure was also passed, is staying on?
“That does indeed seem a bit strange,” says Wester. “Ank Bijleveld says she has made a different decision, and she is allowed to do that. In addition, she was not ultimately responsible for the chaotic evacuations, that was Sigrid Kaag.”
–
–
3. What does Kaag’s departure mean for her political career?
Actually not so much. She is no longer a caretaker foreign minister. But she remains a member of parliament and party leader of D66, and in the latter capacity she continues to form.
She can also become a minister in a new cabinet, says Wester. “Look at Minister Donner. He has resigned several times, and has also become a minister again several times. He always did that at a new ministry. Officially, Kaag can also return to Foreign Affairs in the new cabinet, although that is not yet possible. hand. It is customary then to go to another ministry.”
4. The formation is getting more difficult now that Kaag has left, we have been hearing since last night. Why is it like that?
“The formation is certainly not getting any easier,” Wester also says. “Kaag now has his hands completely free and can go into that process freely.”
“In addition, they love this choice at D66. Her position has been strengthened there, but that does not apply to the outside world and other parties. I can imagine that she wants to take revenge and therefore make more demands during the formation.”
–
–
5. Is there a greater chance that there will be new elections?
Wester is not immediately afraid of that. “Elections are always the last solution. They are held if there is a conflict in the cabinet itself or if there is a breach of trust with the House of Representatives. There is no question of either in this case.”
“The parties can of course conclude that they cannot reach an agreement together and that they leave the decision to the voter. But none of the parties is concerned about that. It is delayed, because it takes about 40 days to be able to hold the elections. and then it has to be reformed. The campaign piggy banks are empty, because elections have just been held. And there is a chance that there will only be more fragmentation, making it even more difficult to form a majority.”
–
–
6. What does Kaag’s departure mean for Mark Rutte?
Mark Rutte had to look for a solution to the gap at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. That has been found: D66 member Tom de Bruijn, outgoing minister for Foreign Trade, is temporarily taking over the ministry from Sigrid Kaag.
“But it is not yet clear what Kaag’s resignation means for Rutte’s role in the formation. Formally it does not matter, although he is of course disappointed. But it very much depends on how Kaag will act now. Is she looking for revenge or not?”
“This weekend they will go to the heath together with formateur Johan Remkes to see if they can thaw the personal relationships. And then we will hopefully know more on Sunday evening.”
–
–
